Most people planning a move think about two things: a real estate agent and a moving company. Both matter, of course. But a whole layer of support sits between those two that most homeowners over 50 never think to access, and genuinely wish they had found sooner.
For anyone planning a senior move in Chicago or the South Suburbs, the difference between a stressful transition and a smooth one often comes down to who’s in your corner. Here are five professionals worth knowing about before you take the first step.
1. A HUD-Approved Housing Counselor
A HUD-approved housing counselor can give you a clear, unbiased picture of your options before you make any decisions about selling, downsizing, or what comes next. The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development certifies these counselors. They offer free or low-cost guidance on everything from reverse mortgages to rental options to the financial implications of selling.
In particular, this resource is valuable if you’re uncertain about which direction to go, or if family members hold different opinions about what should happen. A HUD counselor has no stake in the outcome. Their only job is to make sure you understand your choices. If you’re in Chicago, you can find a HUD-approved housing counselor through the City of Chicago Housing Counseling Centers. If you’re in the South Suburbs, the South Suburban Housing Center offers the same HUD-approved service specifically for Cook County and Northern Will County.
2. A Certified Senior Advisor (CSA)
A Certified Senior Advisor completes specialized training in the health, financial, and social issues that affect people as they age. They’re not therapists, attorneys, or financial planners, but they understand how all of those worlds intersect. Moreover, they’re trained to help you navigate that complexity with confidence.
If you’re weighing a decision that touches multiple areas of your life at once, your home, your health, your finances, your family, a CSA can help you think it through before you engage specialists in each area. The Society of Certified Senior Advisors maintains a searchable directory at csa.us where you can find a credentialed advisor near you.
3. An Estate Sale Specialist
Most people vastly underestimate how much time and emotional energy go into deciding what to do with the contents of a home they’ve lived in for decades. An estate sale specialist handles the entire process. They appraise items, set prices, market the sale, run it, and clear what doesn’t sell.
In addition, a good estate sale company does far more than organize a yard sale. They bring buyers to you, handle the logistics, and lift the decision-making burden at a moment when you already have enough to think about. The American Society of Estate Liquidators offers a directory of vetted professionals at aselonline. In the Chicago area, EstateSales.net also lists local companies and lets you read reviews before making contact.
4. A Benefits Counselor
This is one of the most overlooked resources in the entire transition process. Many homeowners over 60 qualify for benefits they simply don’t know about, programs that cover property taxes, utility costs, prescription medications, and more. In Illinois, for instance, the Circuit Breaker program offers property tax relief for qualifying seniors. Similarly, the Illinois Department on Aging runs a range of support services through its network of Area Agencies on Aging.
As a result, a benefits counselor can conduct a full benefits screening and identify programs you qualify for. Many offer this service free of charge through your local Area Agency on Aging. Completing this screening before you sell matters because a home sale can change your eligibility for certain programs. Find your local Illinois Area Agency on Aging through the Illinois Department on Aging.
5. A Real Estate Attorney Specializing in Senior Transactions
Illinois requires an attorney for real estate closings, so you’ll need one regardless. However, not all real estate attorneys are the same, and for a senior transaction the difference matters considerably.
An attorney who regularly works with homeowners 50 and older understands the specific issues that tend to come up. For example, long-held properties sometimes carry title complications. Transfer on Death Instruments can also help your family avoid probate. Furthermore, a home sale can intersect with Medicaid planning or estate planning in ways that need attention before closing. The Illinois State Bar Association runs a lawyer referral service at isba.org where you can search by practice area and location.
Putting It All Together
None of these professionals replaces the others. Each, therefore, serves a distinct function, and the smoothest transitions happen when the right people communicate with each other. An SRES®, a Senior Real Estate Specialist®, is specifically trained in exactly this kind of team-based approach to senior transitions. In fact, the National Association of Realtors requires that education be part of the designation. If you’d like to understand more about what working with an SRES® actually means, I’ve put together a simple free fact sheet. Get your copy here: Why Work With an SRES®?
If you’re not sure where to begin, start with the HUD housing counselor. It costs nothing, carries no obligation, and consequently gives you a clearer picture of where you stand before anything else happens. From there, the right next steps tend to become a lot clearer.
If you’re starting to think about what comes next, you don’t have to figure it out on your own. Sometimes it helps just to talk things through.
You can always take the next step at your own pace, with no pressure and no expectations. I’m always happy to help you get a clearer picture of your options.
Michelle Williams is a REALTOR® and SRES® serving Chicago and the South Suburbs, helping homeowners 50+ make confident decisions about their next move.